Collaborating to Start an Etsy Shop: Mother-Daughter Team

 

When we first started our Etsy shop, which came shortly after my daughter, Glynnis, decided to make more bracelets to sell rather than give them as gifts for her friends, I was doing all the computer work and photographs while Glynnis made all the jewelry.  As we sat together talking and working, I'd watch Glynnis design something and got inspired to make something, too.  I've never been a creative type other than fun art stuff with my children when they were little.

I found that I loved working with my hands and making something pretty for someone else to enjoy. As we gained more experience and learned more about design and colors, we started to venture into different mediums such as silver and gold.  It is a wonderful experience to be able to connect with Glynnis on this level.  We bounce ideas, pictures, etc. off each other as part of our design process.  It is important to both of us to get feedback.  My prospective is from an older different generation whereas she is young and sees trends on her friends that inspire her.

Now that Glynnis is in high school and has more responsibility (homework, sports), I'm doing much more than I thought capable of.  AND I really enjoy it.  I especially love when someone tells me how much they like something I created.  It gives me a sense of accomplishment.  Glynnis will share ideas with me as her time permits.  I usually construct her designs.

As I said before, I am really the sole contributor to our Etsy shop.  I am a gardener during spring, summer, and fall, so the bulk of the work on Etsy gets done in the winter.

***

Click the photos above to visit DiGiJewels

Diane of DiGi Jewels: It's my daughter, Glynnis, whose beaded stretch bracelets inspired our shop. We worked together to get the shop up and running, but she was the one to design and create. Now that she is a freshman in high school, I have taken over most of the running of our shop. She will design something and I'll construct it. I've been creating pieces now for over a year. I love the time we spend together. 
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Grain-Free Granola

I've been living a grain free life for nearly two years now.  If you're not familiar with my grain free decision, you can read all about it here.  I'm very happy with my dietary decision, but there are days I really miss certain foods.  One of those foods is cereal.  I was a big fan of cereal before giving up grains.  I thought I would never know the yumminess of a bowl of crunchy cereal with cold milk again.  I looked through several Paleo granolas and then concocted my own recipe. The other members of my family eat grains, but they all love this grain-free granola. The recipe is super easy. Even though it's technically "baking", you don't have to be as precise with measuring as you would with traditional baking recipes.

What you'll need:

• 3 cups total of your favorite nuts. (I used pecans, cashews and almonds)
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup pepitas (raw pumpkin seeds)
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 2 T sesame seeds
• 3 T raw honey
• 2 T organic maple syrup
• 1 T Madagascar vanilla
• 2 tsp canola oil
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1/2 cup diced dried fruit (I like apricots and figs)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 330℉
2. Chop the 3 cups nuts with either a knife or food processor until pieces are sized to your liking
3. In a large glass bowl combine the nuts, all seeds, pipettes and coconut
4. In a small bowl stir together the honey, vanilla and oil until well combined
5. Poor honey mixture over the nuts and seeds mixture until all things are evenly coated
6. You can add the diced dried fruit now if you like, but I personally prefer to add it after baking.
7. Spread evenly the granola mixture onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper
8. Bake for 12 minutes, then mix the granola, turning etc. and spreading out evenly. Again, bake for 12 minutes or until your granola is golden brown. Keep an eye on the granola for the last few minutes of baking. It can burn quite suddenly.
9. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before breaking it apart and storing in an air-tight container. Store in the pantry for a few days (which is how long it lasts in my house) or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. 

We like to save Talenti Gelato containers. They're perfect for storing the granola. And speaking of gelato, this granola is delicious as a topping. I hope you try this recipe. It's delicious, full of healthy nuts and seeds, is free of processed sugars and grains. Give it a try! If you do, please let me know what you think.

Patti Wunder of Easton Place Design Studio is the designer for this sweet studio. After her kids head to school, Patti creates logos, packaging, sell sheets, web elements and anything else her clients need for their businesses! Along with designing, Patti makes time for a pot of Irish Breakfast tea (one sugar & splash of cold milk), dark chocolate and music!

Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | eastonplacedesigns@me.com 

Open House at the Hello! Artisan Shop & Studio

Our members RiverDog Prints, Queenvanna Creations, and Milo and Molly have recently opened a small working studio space - Hello! Artisan Shop & Studio - and plan to hold classes and workshops there in the future.  Tonight they are holding their first open house event, which will feature handmade goods from all three shops, as well as refreshments, and a preview of classes they will be offering.  You are encouraged to grab a friend and come on by and say Hello!

For more information, check out the event page on Facebook.

Visit Hello! Artisan Shop & Studio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Can't make it?  Stay updated by signing up for the newsletter.

Workshops at Hartford Prints!

Hartford Prints! is a letterpress studio and stationery store that is all about family. We are three sisters and a press, making pretty paper in our home city of Hartford. Addy, Callie, and Rory joined forces in 2012 to create unique letterpress stationery that is modern and fun. From stunning wedding invitations to offbeat greeting cards, our printing prowess, killer style, and graphic genius work together to make effortlessly beautiful designs.

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | contact@hartfordprints.com

#ctmade

At The Nutmeg Collective, we love Instagram and connecting with local Connecticut makers through their posts.  We use our feed not only to highlight our our members and their products; we also like to show off the beautiful quality work that is produced in the state.

If you are a maker, we invite you to use the hashtag #ctmade on your photos.  This gives us a way to find you and your work and helps us share.  If you aren't a maker, but know one, feel free to throw the hashtag in your comments.  We love to connect with new makers.

Back to School Gift Guide

It's that time again- back to school! (Side-note: Is it me or are summers just going by faster and faster every year?) Whether you're stocking to fulfill those ever-growing back to school supplies lists for your kiddos, purchasing some "happy new school year" gifts for your teacher friends, gifting a student as they start off the academic year or simply just in the mood to treat yourself to some new supplies, The Nutmeg Collective offers a wide array of unique items! Big box stores can be overwhelming and impersonal, please take a look through a sampling of the goods your local Connecticut shops have to offer as back to school season rolls through!


Spruce up a backpack with these dino pins from Our Secret Treehouse! Their shop features items made from whimsical hand drawn cartoons- browse through their collection to fun find stickers, notebooks, prints and more!

Our Secret Treehouse

You can never have too many notebooks! Don't let thoughts, ideas and important reminders get lost through the day to day shuffle... write them down in an eco-friendly jotter notebook from RiverDog Prints.

RiverDog Prints

Keep your page with an oversized paperclip bookmark from Milo and Molly. With many different fabric prints available, adults and kids alike would benefit from never losing their space in their book again. (And let's face it, this kitty face is just too cute to pass up!)

  

Milo and Molly 

Your little on-the-go-artist will appreciate this crayon tote from Little Fingers Gifts. Originally created with a budding school bus artist in mind, this tote is handy to store paper and crayons in without them getting lost in the bottom of a backpack... or as Little Fingers Gifts hoped: to stop a full box of crayons from falling and rolling around on the bus floor!!!!! Other fabric styles are also available in the shop.

Little Fingers Gifts

Dress them in style! Cinder & Salt offers girls tees screen-printed with the environment in mind. Did I mention they are adorable?!?

 

Cinder & Salt

Let them have fun! The Toy Box by Vinny creates handcrafted wooden toys like this tic-tac-toe game. Shop to see more styles!

The Toy Box by Vinny 

Jessica Labowski of Start Talking Vintage: Jessica is a recent college graduate and full-time preschool teacher who has developed a passion for all things vintage and the rich history they carry. She enjoys treasure hunting for historic beauties at estate sales, crafting, sewing and DIY projects (especially those that upcycle vintage items and give then new, modern appeal!) Stop by to take a look at her curated vintage treasures and handmade, vintage-inspired goods.
StartTalkingVintage.etsy@gmail.com

Nutmeg Pets: Janis Hoplin and Sterling Archer

Meet Janis Hoplin, an almost two-year-old lop-eared rabbit,

and Sterling Archer, a one-year-old lionhead rabbit.

They make their home with Emily of Get Baked in Windsor.